NEW: Solomon Apologizes for Clerical Error in Ethics Filings, Claims Lead in Polls
GoLocalProv News Team
NEW: Solomon Apologizes for Clerical Error in Ethics Filings, Claims Lead in Polls
“Last week my opponents used this very location to launch an ugly attack against my name and my reputation. Trailing in the polls, Mr. Elorza and Mr. Smiley attempted to compare my record to the record of Mr. Cianci,” said Solomon.
Solomon Apologizes for "Clerical Error"
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTFlanked by a group of prominent supporters from the community, Solomon addressed an ethics complaint that was filed by Providence City Council candidate Michael Long two weeks ago on the heels of a GoLocal investigation into the annual Rhode Island Ethics Commission filings by Solomon, which showed incomplete or incorrect information filed for multiple years. Long has announced he intends to file a new ethics complaint against City Council President and Mayoral candidate Michael Solomon.
“If you look behind me you will see support from City Council members, elected officials and some of the unions. We have a broad base of support from all sections in the city of Providence,” said Solomon.
“I’ve worked very hard to bring transparency to the city council by televising hearings, making council votes available online, and requiring lobbyist registration for those seeking to influence city government,” said Solomon.
Solomon did not respond directly when asked to respond to calls some have made for him to repay the Conrad building debt before spending money on campaign advertising.
“That building and that project created jobs and spurred economic development. Do you realize that Westminster Street was boarded up when we took that project on. You could roll a bowling ball down Westminster Street and you wouldn’t hit anyone. Look at Westminster Street today – jobs have been created businesses are there,” said Solomon.
Poll Shows Solomon Can Beat Cianci
The poll data, which was released without an accompanying questionnaire, shows Solomon leading Cianci (36%-35%) in a three-way general election horserace with Republican Daniel Harrop, while Elorza trails 31%-38%.
Elorza spokesperson, Marisa O'Gara raised questions about the validity of the polling data -- which was conducted by SocialSphere, Inc. founder and CEO John Della Volpe among a sample of 440 general election voters between August 17-22 -- in a statement released shortly following the press conference.
“Mr. Solomon just released poll results – with no data to back it up – showing he and Jorge neck-and-neck with Cianci. Since this poll was conducted, Jorge has gained the endorsements of Brett Smiley, the Providence Journal, and many others, while Michael Solomon has been embroiled in an ethics investigation for 25 separate violations and will face new charges in the coming days,” said O'Gara.
“Providence voters deserve a clear contrast with Cianci in November. As they learn more about Michael Solomon’s ongoing ethics investigation, unpaid debt to the Providence taxpayers, and solicitation of city employee donations, the fact that Jorge represents the best chance for moving Providence forward will become clear” said O'Gara.
Solomon Amended Ethics Reports - August 2014
2007
Changes -- See Full Report HERE
* Amended Item 7 by adding "385 Westminster Street, Providence RI 02903"
* Amended Item 9 by adding "Providence Community Action Program" and
by adding "Board Member" of "Providence Economic Development Partnership" and "Providence Water Supply Board and Providence Community Action Program"
* Amended Item 11 by adding "New City Conrad, LLC"
* Amended Item 12 by adding "New City Conrad, LLC" and "ongoing loan payments to the Providence Economic Development Partnership"
* Amended Item 16 by changing "Not Applicable" to adding a loan from the City of Providence to New City Conrad LLC
2008
Changes -- See Full Report HERE
* Amended Item 7 -- "Change Address from 1150 Westminster to 385 Westminster"
* Amended Item 9 by adding "Providence Community Action Program" and
by adding "Board Member" of "Providence Economic Development Partnership" and "Providence Water Supply Board and Providence Community Action Program"
* Aamended Item 11 by adding "New City Conrad, LLC"
* Amdended Item 12 by adding "New City Conrad, LLC" and "ongoing loan payments to the Providence Economic Development Partnership"
*Amended Item 16 by changing "Not Applicable" to adding a loan from the City of Providence to New City Conrad LLC.
2009
Changes -- See Full Report HERE
* Amended Item 9 by adding "Providence Community Action Program" and
by adding "Board Member" of "Providence Economic Development Partnership" and "Providence Water Supply Board and Providence Community Action Program"
*Amended Item 11 by adding "New City Conrad, LLC"
* Amended Item 12 by adding "New City Conrad, LLC" and "ongoing loan payments to the Providence Economic Development Partnership"
Solomon
* Amended Item 16 by changing "Not Applicable" to adding two loans
one from Washington Trust on a building at 13-15 Montrose St Providence
one from the City of Providence to New City Conrad LLC
2010
Changes -- See Full Report HERE
*Amended Item 9 by adding "Providence Community Action Program" and
by adding "Board Member" of "Providence Economic Development Partnership" and "Providence Water Supply Board and Providence Community Action Program"
* Aended Item 11 by adding "New City Conrad, LLC
* Amended Item 12 by adding "New City Conrad, LLC" and "ongoing loan payments to the Providence Economic Development Partnership"
* Amended Item 16 by changing "Not Applicable" to adding two loans
one from Washington Trust on a building at 13-15 Montrose St Providence
one from the City of Providence to New City Conrad LLC.
2011
Changes -- See Full Report HERE
* Added "Water Supply Board" to Current Positions.
* Amended Family Executive Positions by adding "Providence Community Action Program" and by adding "Board Member" of "Providence Economic Development Partnership"
* Amended Last Year Business Ownership Interest by adding "New City Conrad, LLC" and "continuous loan payments to City of Providence"
* Amended Family Debts by changing "Not Applicable" to adding two loans, one from Washington Trust on a building at 13-15 Montrose St Providence and on one from the City of Providence to New City Conrad LLC.
2012
Changes -- See Full Report HERE
* Amended Elected Office Candidacies from "Not Applicable" to "Mayor of Providence"
* Amended Family Executive Positions by adding "Providence Community Action Program"
* Amended Last Year Business Ownership Interest by adding "New City Conrad, LLC" and "continuous loan payments to City of Providence"
* Amended Family Debts by changing "Not Applicable" to adding two loans
one from Washington Trust on a building at 13-15 Montrose St Providence
one from the City of Providence to New City Conrad LLC.
2013
Changes -- See Full Report HERE
* Amended Elected Office Candidacies from "Not Applicable" to "Mayor of Providence"
* Amended Family Executive Positions by adding "Providence Community Action Program"
* Amended Last Year Business Ownership Interest by adding "New City Conrad, LLC" and "continuous loan payments to City of Providence"
*Amended Family Debts by changing "Not Applicable" to adding two loans
one from Washington Trust on a building at 13-15 Montrose St Providence
one from the City of Providence to New City Conrad LLC.
